Ovulating Women Act Like Horny Men (Sort Of)

Everybody knows about PMS, but do women change their behavior during ovulation? Current research says they do, sexually…and these changes may have evolutionary significance in spreading our genes.Two new studies in the November issue of the journal Evolution and Human Behavior find that women get a little wilder during their most fertile days of the month. One study found that ovulating women are more open to the idea of hooking up with a stranger or acquaintance, while the other study found that women with less masculine-looking partners are more likely to lust after men with “masculine” traits–like strong, square jaws–than women with partners already possessing those traits.In the past, most research on the menstrual cycle focused on premenstrual syndrome (PMS), but these new studies are two of more than twenty focusing on behavioral changes brought about by ovulation. Researchers in evolutionary biology have taken it for granted that ovulation is of slight significance since humans have deviated from the typical estrus cycle (heat) of mammals, and can be up for sex anytime of the month.This, however, is just a theory, and a wrong one at that. For instance, men can tell when a woman is ovulating, although they do so imperfectly. Some experts believe it’s through smell–of pheromones, excreted chemicals that triggers a social response in members of the same species–but this is just a hypothesis. Several studies, however, have found that women report that their men become more attentive and jealous around fertile days. One study, in fact, found that when women were fertile, their male partners saw other men as a greater threat.Further, women do have a sort-of “heat” phase, yet instead of simply being more receptive to sex, they want it for different reasons. Consider this phase a lust-cycle, where women want sex for sex’s sake and not for intimacy, which might be more the reason outside of the cycle.

The second study of the pair looked at women’s phenotypic preference for masculine traits during fertile periods. Several previous studies had found that, when ovulating, women tended to go for more masculine-looking men. Masculine traits fertile women prefer are strong-jawed faces, muscular bodies, dominant behaviors, deep voices and tallness.

(Example of test picture to the left–women, which face do you prefer?)

In the latest study, researchers found that if a woman is partnered with a man without a masculine face, her eye is more likely to wander during her fertile days. Now this doesn’t mean she’ll necessarily act on her wandering eye, but she’ll likely look nonetheless. And other studies have shown that the hormonal fluctuations surrounding ovulation do change women’s attitudes and behavior. For instance, fertile women seem to be more open than non-fertile women to the idea of taking “sexual pleasures where [they] find them.” According to the authors of the study, women in ovulation are more likely to express interest in sleeping with an attractive stranger or someone they don’t care about. Just sex.

Women in ovulation also tried harder to look nice for pictures, according to a 2006 study, showing that the hormonal changes may also affect female decision making. An online shopping experiment reveals fertile women are also more likely to choose sexy clothes and accessories than women who weren’t fertile, according to the study published online in the Journal of Consumer Research in August. Finally, in a widely publicized study published in Evolution and Human Behavior in 2007, researchers found that ovulating strippers made an average of $30 more an hour than menstruating strippers and $15 more an hour than non-ovulating, non-menstruating strippers.

So to conclude, during fertile periods, women tend to be a bit friskier, make decisions about their attractiveness, look harder at masculine features, and be more likely to engage in casual sex. Why? To ensure the likelihood of fertilizationand to increase the probability of finding successful genes, biologically speaking that is. I don’t know about you, but it sounds to me like the human female is as much a product of her biology as a man is. Cool, huh?

87 Responses to Ovulating Women Act Like Horny Men (Sort Of)

I would have sex with anything that moves and has a dick during ovulation. I never noticed it before, but now I keep track and when I wake up in mid-orgasm, I know that I’m ovulating.I’m 19 and only had sex with one guy who used to be my ex-boyfriend, so no, I’m not a whore, and I will never sleep around, I’m actually trying to stay chaste until I get married now, but it gets REALLY frustrating and I have to literally get up and do myself in the bathroom during that time.

I’m horny now all the time. I feel so ashamed like something’s wrong with me. But I need release its affecting me at work it’s like I can’t function. I even nearly booked a male escort. I can’t cross my legs without becoming aroused. I masturbate over and over in binging intervals for the entire afternoon at times. I don’t want to cheat on my boyfriend but I need the real thing sometimes when he’s not around and he works so much.

We all have something in common. Because. I had some last night and it was great. But it is I sitting across from my boyfriend came home early. And all of sudden I got horns as hell. I am what he ‘h’ is wrong with me. So I decided to reseach and read the article now I am reading some.responses

Yeah I know what you mean! I never really noticed it before either but I’ve seen a difference in who I find attractive when I’m ovulating. I go from preferring a more fem. face during my non fertile days to preferring really masculine guys,for the most part. I think about doing every guy I see. I read/watch lots of porn.I’ve nvr had sex before in my LIFE and I’m hoping to keep it that way until marriage. But,it’s times like this where I feel like I’m gonna lose it. “It” being my mind.

I’m 19 too and currently dealing with this madness. My fiance is going through one medical procedure after another due to his tumors and i feel like I am constantly asking him to rise and shine for me when he really should be resting! But sincerely girl, keep that ideal of saving yourself, it is so worth it sharing such a special memory with the man you love.

I know when I’m ovulating because I actually “think” differently. My focus is a bit off at work. This is in addition to my non intentional frisky/flirty behavior…and desires. For me, this really sucks considering I am celibate and would like to stay that way until marriage. I wish there was some sort of biological button “sleep mode” –so to speak. I do want to have a sex drive once I’m married…

Ha ha…no such luck. Other side of same coin. If it makes you feel any better, guys have to deal with a very similar challenge, except ours is perpetual (not in a cycle), and we get to deal with it from adolescence onward.

Yeah, in a period like this you walk along the street and enjoy strangers’ attention–a woman like a magnet! So true! Men feel it, eat you with their eyes- the best days to meet your puzzle ( for a long lasting relashionships- it happens or “just” as you mentioned)
Even the face is more radiant and I always put less make-up: eyes are brighter and lips are fuller- what for to hide this beauty?
Knowing all these “bio secrets” you understand why you can be addicted to a woman (right time -period-, right place)

My x bf how ever I can’t get enough of.
We aren’t together anymore but when ever I want sex I call him always. He comes over and spends all night and half the following day with me.
I am in heat once a month but when it happens I am horny for an entire week straight. I am seeing someone right now but I promised myself that I wouldn’t sleep with someone so quickly again. Even though I am talking and dating somebody we are not boyfriend and gf yet. I don’t have that trust in this new person yet.
where as the person aka my x bf we have been friends since we were kids. We have trust in one another even though we broke up. We still love to sleep together. He knows when I am in heat because 1) as soon as he walks in my door we are hugging and my legs are wrapped around his waist. 2) he carries me to the bedroom and kisses me non stop. 3) when we have sexton he feels me having the biggest orgasms when I am in heat. 4) sexton with him is amazing.

I am in so much heat right now. I am getting butterflies and upset because I want and need sex. I called my x to come over so we have it planned for Friday night.
I also feel guilty because the man I am dating also has a big dick…..and he dry humped me with his boxers on and it made me so thorny. I almost caved in. I told this new man that if he wants sex with me I need to know that our relationship is a stable strong one and that I cannot just gave sexton in the first week of dating.
So can anyone tell me what to do because when I go in this much heat masturbsting with my toy doesn’t do it for me.
I need the real deal

Shabana the way you described your ex an the fact you still sleep with him.. I don’t know maybe your too comfortable?
I get waiting with your new partner and what not. In my opinion I just think it confuses you sleeping with your ex but starting something with someone else.
Toys can be frustrating I get that. In my opinion which you don’t have to read is just wait an see how you go with your new partner I know easier said than done but if it works out it will be worth the wait. The first 3 months isn’t called the honey moon stage for nothing. You can sleep with him heaps once your comfortable. I just don’t feel like it’s going to work with this new guy if your still sleeping with your ex. Again feel free to not listen to me.

Today I woke up and put on makeup, and painted my nails for the first time in a few weeks. I just felt sexy! I also was a little more friendly to people in general, not just men. I am now getting those familiar stirrings signaling ovulation, and sure enough I checked the calender and my period was fourteen days ago. Go figure!

I completely understand how that works, I’m in ovulation right now and for some reason am only attracted to one guy at the moment (my boyfriend), he’s not really muscular, but his voice hits that nice deep pitch, he’s tall, broad shoulders, and facial hair….I can help but want to jump him, but I’m also trying to keep my V-card until after I’m married….but God is it hard! Especially when he’s been sweating from doing things outside….I’ve actually found myself nuzzling my nose into his armpit and taking deep breathes, for some reason I just can’t help it. I even had my wisdom teeth out yesterday and he stayed with me the whole time, but afterwards, I still found myself wanting to jump him…..I think I might have a Really bad case…..cuz when I’m not ovulating I’m not like this at all, when I’m not ovulating he tries starting stuff, but when I am, I start stuff.

It has been about 5 days straight that I have been experiencing this phenomenon. It seems like there is no end in sight. The urge is so overwhelming that I literally can’t ignore it. I find myself constantly fantasizing about gorgeous men.. and god help me if I run into a man with the perfect features. I feel terrible, because I have a bf, he is extremely attractive, but he is sick and unable to have sex much. I have been trying to initiate sex often, and I have only been successful twice. Sadly my body wants constant sex right now. It’s fucked up how hormones are so powerful. Its like hunger, when you haven’t eaten in days. It’s immediately apparent to me when I am ovulating, not only because of all of the urges and thoughts, but also because I am constantly wet, and in a persistent state of arousal, and it is very annoying, but yet I sort of like it. (Sorry for the graphic details but very true nonetheless.) I swear if there was a hot guy in this room with me right now, stranger or not, he would be getting his bones jumped. It’s driving me crazy. Curse you, biology and chemistry!

Okay..now I know why I am so horny..and also why I have been thinking about a particular boy who is actually not that attractive otherwise.. But man, since yesterday he is probably the hottest guy around.. I thought something was wrong with me

Thanks for this blog. I’ve been feeling horny and super mushy for my boyfriend of 5 months, and I haven’t even been near him!! We’re both students and have hectic schedules, and so I was wondering why do I have this urge to jump him like an animal? Usually he’s like this with me and I have to stop him before we go too far (yes I’m a virgin, waiting for marriage). Now he’s trying to set the pace, and if I cannot control this thing, my boyfriend will be making a woman out of me very soon. I don’t have an alleviation plan as I’ve never masturbated (the idea didn’t seem worth it when I anticipated eventually having sex with someone who would screw me better than me), and so I find myself sexually frustrated a period of the month for the last TWO months. I know it’s definitely due to ovulation as my menstrual cycle was two weeks prior….I think I will start investing in cold showers.

I would suggest you definitely try masturbating. It’s definitely worth it considering your desire can be relieved on your own terms. Sex is still amazing regardless, it’s actually better. Keep in mind that the first time is usually not satisfying. There’s the possibility you will have trouble reaching orgasm through penetration as most women do. And marriage eventually has long dry spells. Why be frustrated when satisfaction is so easily obtained?

For a few days each month I become like a total diva vixen. I do my hair diferently, paint my nails a mad colour, wear sexy outfits and want to wear my sexiest heels and strut my stuff. Then it fades and I go back to wearing my old rags and sweatpants haha!

I am so ready just to fuck anyone with a dick right now and watching Damon on vampire diaries doesn’t help I have a bit of a crush on him made it worse and I’m just ugh kill me now I fucking hate hormones and no one to take it out on so

Oh I usually don’t feel as prominent as I do now, but I guess getting older makes my hormonal cycle “fuller” and along with that, my sexual awakening. Lately when I am ovulating, I cannot concentrate on work, find myself wanting to sleep all day, and have been bringing myself to orgasm a couple of times a day. Can’t get enough! I guess I should not complain though, will surely miss this when I am postmenopausal..ha

Yea I agree this doctor does look hot right now Anyway, it’s day 3 and I am as horny as hell and today actually feels worse than the past 2 days. I just had sex about 2 hours ago and the horniness is back, i’ve been talking to every guy (friends) I do everyday, but these past 2/3 days I find myself bringing the sexual topics up more often. This is unusual for me, since normally I am quite the shy type. Kinda blamed it on my red hair

I am at work and i am surrounded by men. My boyfriend works overseas and i get to see him for about three weeks every quarter, which is enough time to stay faithful to him. However, i have learned something about my body. I get extremely horny and lack focus on the job. As a Police officer, this is not a good thing, i need to be in the yellow/orange zone always. But i am in the white zone in this time of horniness. I am so very horny right now. To cool it off i usually shower or sleep. i do not masturbate, i just cant do, ive tried. I need your help

If you want to stay faithful to your boyfriend, then the obvious is masturbation. Try it…it actually works well…and you’ll become a better lover for others (your boyfriend, I mean) by learning yourself, and what you like, better.

Omg that doctor got me hot an bothered..I have a there year old ..and sometimes when she takes a nap I’ll but a movie in not a dirty one but a movie and there be this hot guy…and I’ll run to he bathroom and masterbate is hat weird ..or what….I have a so to be husband …but we works all the time …but I’m needy im23….help me

Soo glad I found this site. I thought something was wrong with me and I was alone. I’m 27 and the last two years I’ve noticed this about myself. I have pmdd and get killer cramps 2 weeks before “flo” I was told that I’m ovulating so I could always tell. Two years ago I noticed shortly after cramping I get so “hyper sexual” I can’t concentrate much, I notice changes to my body- constantly wet, nipples are sensitive, I can’t stop thinking about sex (tmi I apologize). I hate this! I have kids and don’t want anymore, so I plan to get fixed. Would that stop this? I’d opt for a complete hystorectomoy if my doctor would do it bc like I said I get killer cramps (makes me pissy) then I’m absolutely lovey and wanting sex every chance I get. Hate it makes me feel bipolar.

This confirms a non-scientific but very strong suspicion that I have had for many years……

FYI I am a 74 year old man….and I just happened on this article while using Google search as a spell check….I am not very computer literate….and no, I don’t think I am just another dirty old man…..

I did find that the comments backed up my experiences from all the way back to when I began my sexual journey in 1956…..nothing I have seen contradicts it, and I come from a very constricted era of sexuality…..I have lived through the “awakening” of women’s freedom from that repressed era. Thank God it happened!

Glad to see so many other women feel this way! I thought I was crazy or something. Mid month for a few days I get so incredibly horny! All I think about is sex and it’s hard to think about anything else. There’s a guy I really like and just looking at him almost puts me over the edge. All I want to do is rip his clothes off! But apparently this is a normal thing so that’s awesome!

Dr. Campos, I am in my mid-40′s & this had been happening to me the last few months after a period of several years with low libido. Do you think this is a good sign of returning healthy hormone function or maybe something to talk to my doctor about? No matter how many times I get release, the urge comes right back. I feel like I’m never satisfied. It’s very distracting! Kinda fun, but not easy to get anything else done!

Gosh, I feel like any libido is good libido…ok with perhaps a few exceptions But I think any time one is concerned it is valuable to bounce it off a professional (no, not literally!) Anyway, that increased libido can happen in women as they age…men down-slide, women up-slide…a gross generalization, yes, but…well they don’t come from nowhere, so. Enjoy it while you’ve got it; that’s my feeling anyway

Right red all the post intresting, im 40 been with partner 17yrs every month 14 days into her cycle, she goes crazy luckily i know her, and when she ovulates, well theres a nice smell (not perfume) but comes out of her skin, and wetness is crazy, crazy thing i go mad myself, in this time period. 17yrs have been up and down, and other lads have been involved and has finished within 5 days, so i put it down to ovalation, she very attractive girl, and had 2 nice children with her, and yes when young is impotant to have children, or she will look somewhere else FACT. hope this helps

So horny for the past two days…literally masturbated using a pillow once and couldn’t stop looking at XXXXXXX on twitter (esp. the ones of Leo DiCaprio) ….it was getting out of hand. Today, i’m fine and back to being a normal, sane person. LOL. Sorry for the major TMI but I felt I needed to confess.

I’m normally sleepy with a low sex drive during my ovulation period, but this month is different for some reason. REALLY horny and I ain’t complaining one bit! LOL Hmm, I do know there was an herb I took a few years ago that made me continuously horny and I couldn’t get enough!! It was burdock root and I read the reason why… it raises testosterone levels in some women. Go figure! Why did I quit taking it? More acne, ugh! Curse you genetics and skin!

I’m in my mid 30′s, I only get to see my boyfriend 2-3 times a year. Just a thought of him makes me so horny & I all I wish for is to take my panty off, open my legs wide open so that his hard dick can penetrate me but the challenge is he is often not here.
This happens all the time he crosses my mind regardless of the place I’m in. Sometimes I think I’m bewitched….
I’ve tried masturbation & also using a sex toy but they don’t really help because having him inside me feels like magic. Should I get myself a local boyfriend or is there something wrong

I always had a feeling this was the case, but never talked about it. Of course, I have a birth control rod in now, so ovulation doesn’t always happen, but when it happens usually my boyfriend knows, as I become clingy when I’m hardly affectionate, tend stay in bed most of the day, and it’s really the only time I’m ever truly wet, as I tend to have trouble with that normally. I remember the first time he ever pointed it out before sex, it was super embarrassing. Even more so cause my cats, before they got fixed, we’re both in heat as well and he basically thought it was amusing. It really is a bit of an overwhelming feeling, that generally lasts 3 days without sex. Idk if this is odd or if anyone else experiences this. But within those 3 days, it doesn’t matter how many orgasmns I’ve obtained, it doesn’t go away unless the guy I’m with ejaculates inside of me once or twice. So I tend to have sex right away. As I can’t really handle 3 straight days of not being able to get anything done because my mind is preoccupied with sex lol.

Yeah, i get the same feeling a few days in the month, like a week after I’m done with my periods. And the feeling remains for upto 4-5 days. After that I’m back to my normal sane being. But those 4 days are really weird, I feel like having sex with just about any Guy around me!!! … I think Guys are able to sense this when a woman is feeling extremely horny. Also what doesnt help me is the fact that my colleague who sits next to me is extremely hot!! …I’m married with two small kids and have a super busy life. We dont get too much personal time other than weekends

Okay, but here’s a kicker. I’m a lesbian and I still get super horny around my ovulation period, but not in the same way i guess. I am actually more drawn to feminine features and softness, rather than masculine ruggedness. Even though I do find myself primping a bit more, and selecting clothing that accentuates my *ahem* finer features, I am still not attracted to men in any way shape or form. I guess it is just how I’m hardwired, perhaps there will be a study done with ovulation and lesbianism to see what is going on there.

I LOVE this blog. It’s so dead on! I never knew about any of this until after I had my son 4 years ago. Then boom, when I would ovulate, I was all over my ex. (now were seperated) But again I never kept track of it. For the past 2 years I’ve been using a period tracker app on my phone so I know when my next period is and when I’m ovulating. Well when all of a sudden I became a raging horny maniac that would hump the air if it gave pleasure, I noticed on my phone app that it would say ‘Fertile Window’ and I was like oh wow! So I started doing research and it’s SO TRUE, AND SO ME! Even the part about the stronger jawline, etc. How crazy! It’s like women are animals once a month. When I’m not ovulating I have no problem being calm, and having zero sex. It’s funny because theres this guy that I am talking to (casually, no sex yet or anything) and last week I was sending him our normal chatty messages, and then this week BOOM I turned into a horny sex phene sending him all sorts of kinky messages about telling him I’m going to come over in a school girl skirt and I want my hair pulled just right! Lol. He’s like ‘WOW’ Lol. He’s probably wondering what the heck is going on! Hahaha.
But heres my dilemma, I DON’T sleep around. I want a boyfriend, not just sex or a 1 night stand. So I get out of control horny where I want to go fuck all my guy friends, including a co-worker, but then I’m like NO! Control yourself! Lol. Because when I’m not ovulating I’m a totally different person. Anyways I’m so glad to come across this blog and the comments are absolutely hilarious and spot on! Thank you for sharing ladies…..

Ha ha! I enjoyed reading all the comments. Had some good laughs. It’s interesting to see how open women are about some things. Yes, a lot of this does seem to be true….especially paying extra attention to your dressing and looking at more masculine men.

Thank goodness I’ve found this page I seriously thought I was going mad. I have never been a player but for about 4 days every month I get this insane attraction to one particular colleague literally drives me mad I get the shakes when he is around the full works. So not like me it scares the cr*p out of me, I just get these compulsions to make sure I talk to him and the rubbish that comes out my mouth not sure if it would ensure my fertilisation I reckon he’ll be running the other way !!!!

So glad I’m not the only one. Recently was away for a week staying in a hotel. Couldn’t stand it & did 2 things I have never done before. I got an erotic massage from a male masseuse & thoroughly enjoyed it. I also answered the door to room service totally naked. What a thrill!

I’m glad I found this blog. I have been on birth control my whole life til recently. And I have been experiencing this and thought something was wrong with me. I am in my fertile phase and I’m so Horny. I woke up this morning and the sheets on my skin felt so arousing. I constantly want my husband (who is very masculine looking) to take me and dominate me. Unfortunately he has a very low labido. So I end up very frustrated and obsess about sex. I go to the gym every week but today I started this odd behavior of ogling all the buff guys there. I fear that if some stranger came on to me during this phase, I would not stop it. I love sex and wish my husband would tend to me more.

I’m 36 and have a kid and for the most part can’t be bothered with sex (been there done that for 20 years ya know?). However, when I’m on a green day (especially the first 2) I just want a nice cock in my mouth! I start talking like a horny man and tell my husband to fuck my mouth and spank me. Then, a few days pass, and I’m like “hell no, move you’re in the way of the TV”. I’ve noticed this has been MUCH more significant and predictable ever since I’ve been off the pill. I don’t feel like I’m in control of my own personality..

Woo I am normal! I’ve been with my husband 6 years. I was on birth control for years before we met and i stayed on it for a few years even though he was in the army and was always deployed. One day I said I wanted a break from the pill and bam! I experienced ovulation for the first time in years. The second cycle I spent a weekend with my husband and I got pregnant (unplanned) I actually told him even though it wasn’t something we were ready for my body had other plans and it knew how to get pregnant.

Was the study only aimed at straight women? Obviously the hormones involved in the biologically driven “desire time” would apply regardless, but would lesbians be more inclined towards more “feminine” females? I think this deserves to be looked into.